I've never used a tablet. What's all the rage about? I guess I'm sort of a tecnhophobe when it comes to certain things. My cellphone doesn't take pictures, and I can't call anyone from my camera. I have a MacBook and a Toshiba laptop but I use a wireless mouse and keyboard with an external monitor for both of them because I hate the touchpads.

I've been in post production for nearly 10 years now.  I work day in day out on images and absolutely love what I do.  The tablet allows you to work up to 50% faster for some things and possibly even more.  Even better is how much more control you have with the cursor / brushes / etc.  It's also much easier on your hand and wrist when working. 

I'd say this... if you have it, keep it and use it.  It may take some time to get the hang of it but when you do... look out!

As Carson and Wade point out the advantages of using a tablet for image manipulation are significant.

Just don’t expect to get the hang of it in an afternoon – it may take some time and practice.

Download the updated drivers from Wacom.

Get the tablet book from Amazon.

Tablets are absolute positioning, not relative like a mouse. You'll get used to it after a bit of hand eye retraining.

Wacoms can be mapped to the monitor so that you can have the desired area, location and magnification to your liking.

You may want to go to Staples and get a clipboard, put a couple of bolts through it at the top to make an easel for it that will clear your keyboard. A small clip board is good enough for a 6x4 tablet. I have one of my Bamboos on one. I will be modding a large clipboard for my Tooya 10x6.

In my setup with the Bamboo:  Apparent size visually 5", actual size 6", monitor size 7" to keep everything congruent in width. Height proportionate. Depends on your viewing distances of course.

The Wacom driver installs a pane in System preferences that is more or less self explanatory. I presume the 40 dollars included the install disk, which has a tutorial.

Get serious. I have my Wacom above my keyboard on a clipboard resting on my desktop with the bolts and on my wrist rest with the bottom of my clipboard. use your imagination.

I LOVE my Wacom!!! I had spent an enormous amount of $ on a 12x18 a long time ago and then when the upgrades came to OS's and programs. Unfortunately.... I had to get a new one. Prices have come down since then. I use it for painting. I use it for an easier way to knock out bottle shots for better lines. But I LOVE my Wacom!!!! Keyboards are great for typing and short cuts but for art work.... the Wacom!